BILL NUMBER: AB 1846	CHAPTERED  09/28/00

	CHAPTER   797
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 28, 2000
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 28, 2000
	PASSED THE SENATE   AUGUST 30, 2000
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   MAY 31, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 26, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 24, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 10, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Lowenthal, Strickland, and Alquist
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Bates, Bock, Cunneen, Leach, Maddox,
Maldonado, Robert Pacheco, and Zettel)

                        FEBRUARY 7, 2000

   An act to add a heading as Article 1 (commencing with Section
9100) to, and to add Article 2 (commencing with Section 9115) to,
Chapter 2 of Division 8.5 of, and to add Chapter 4.5 (commencing with
Section 9450) to Division 8.5 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to aging.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1846, Lowenthal.  Senior housing.
   Existing law contains various provisions that require building
standards and accessibility guidelines to ensure that public
buildings and accommodations are open and available to persons with
disabilities.
   Existing law requires the California Department of Aging, among
other things, to administer the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act
which establishes various programs that serve older individuals,
including aging information and education programs.
   This bill would establish the Senior Housing Information and
Support Center within the department, for the purpose of providing
information and training relating to specified subjects, including
housing options and home modification alternatives designed to
support independent living, and available innovative resources and
senior services.
   This bill would also require the department, in consultation with
the California Commission on Aging, to enter into a contract with an
entity for the development of information and materials relating to
the concept of "aging in place" and the benefits of home modification
for seniors.
   This bill would require the department to distribute these
materials to area agencies on aging and other appropriate entities.
   This bill would provide that implementation of the bill would be
subject to appropriations contained in the Budget Act.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  A heading is added as Article 1 (commencing with
Section 9100) to Chapter 2 of Division 8.5 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code, to read:

      Article 1.  General Provisions

  SEC. 2.  Article 2 (commencing with Section 9115) is added to
Chapter 2 of Division 8.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to
read:

      Article 2.  Senior Housing Information and Support Center

   9115.  There is in the California Department of Aging the Senior
Housing Information and Support Center, which shall have the
following functions:
   (a) The center shall serve as a clearinghouse for information for
seniors and their families regarding available innovative resources
and senior services.
   (b) (1) The center shall provide information or contract with
another entity to provide information concerning housing options and
home modification alternatives, to enable seniors to live
independently or with their families as often as possible.
   (2) The center shall distribute this information to each area
agency on aging and to other appropriate entities throughout the
state.
   (c) The center shall promote education and training for
professionals who work directly with seniors in order to maximize
opportunities for independent living.
   9116.  The Director of the California Department of Aging shall
appoint all necessary staff to carry out the provisions of this
article.
   9117.  Implementation of this article shall be subject to an
appropriation in the annual Budget Act.
  SEC. 3.  Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 9450) is added to
Division 8.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

      CHAPTER 4.5.  HOME MODIFICATIONS FOR SENIORS

   9450.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) Thousands of California seniors are living with mobility and
health problems and these numbers will increase as the state's
population ages.  Statistics show that 50 percent of people over the
age of 80 years are disabled in some manner.
   (2) Most housing was not designed for people who are disabled,
have lost strength, flexibility, or balance through aging, and who
necessarily have become fearful or extremely cautious in their daily
activities to avoid injury.  Front steps, staircases, narrow
doorways, low electric sockets, low light levels, round door handles,
high kitchen cabinets, and bathrooms without grab bars or moveable
shower heads pose hazards for the elderly.  One in three Americans
over the age of 65 years suffers a fall each year, often in the home,
which can cause serious injury and depression.
   (3) Studies show that basic home modifications to improve safety
and make it easier to maneuver about the home can forestall
hospitalization and nursing home care as seniors grow more fragile.
"Aging in place" is a new concept that can result in less injury,
retaining elders in their homes, and offers a significant cost
savings to health care insurers, families, and public agencies.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the development of
the "aging in place" concept be recognized and supported by the
state, that funding for education and making home improvements be
facilitated through public and private sources, and that
recommendations for changes in home modification policies and
information for home modification projects and products be developed.

   9451.  The department, in consultation with the commission, shall
enter into a contract for the development of information and
materials which shall be used to educate Californians on the concept
of "aging in place" and the benefits of home modification.  The
contractor shall be a research-based university gerontology
department with extensive experience and work with the concept of
"aging in place" and the benefits of home modification.
   9452.  The department shall distribute the information developed
pursuant to Section 9451 to each area agency on aging and to other
appropriate entities throughout the state.
   9453.  The department, in cooperation with the entity contracting
with the department pursuant to Section 9451, shall sponsor regional
training sessions, and seminars, using the materials developed
pursuant to this chapter.
   9454.  Implementation of this chapter shall be subject to an
appropriation in the annual Budget Act.
